I RTFM. 
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A couple of things to consider:
- The vast majority of resources are spent on a small number distros
- If you limited the number of distros, it wouldn’t consolidate the efforts, it would reduce the number of contributors.
Open source is fundamentally different than commercial development.
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Indeed. Not only that, very few get the level of attention from the mainstream. Most distros are born and die in obscurity because they don’t bring enough to the table from other distros, they aren’t that well maintained or they’re just memes. The ones that are popular do something that are worth while for their users. EndeavourOS simplifies Arch Linux’s installation and post-installation processes, Nobara pre-installs some things for gamers, Linux Mint does a lot of modifications to Ubuntu that provide an experience more closer to other distros, and the list can go on.
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I have not seen it that way. Thank you.
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I suppose in terms of different distros existing, It’s usually what happens when something is open source and not locked down for everyone but one entity. Some people make a distro just because they can or have their own ideas, many distros vanish, and many stick around if users deem it as useful. Visual art and music freedom is similar, many different ideas even within the same style, sometimes new styles are created, and some others are not so good and vanish. It can sometimes be external of the distro itself too, while EOS makes Arch installation more accessible with more built in packages, the forum and support attached to it is also deemed a benefit too.
Web browsers are also similar, with Firefox, there is floorp, Zen, Librewolf, +many others. The people behind making them wanted a different interface or believe in focusing on being pre-set on some settings as default they deem important.
In terms of the benchmarking and performance I don’t have any answer to that, I was under the impression all distros almost run the same unless there is bloat or something else slowing one down compared to another distro or if you pick one desktop environment over another. Maybe the faster updates with Arch based can help in some cases with newer software or games but I can’t verify that.
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I think the fact that GNU/Linux is so decentralised is the biggest benefit to the OS.
It can cater to almost everyone’s needs and wishes.
Of course, the more distros you hop, the more you realise most of them are the same with different wallpapers, themes, default apps and so on, but still – nobody prohibits doing that. And that’s beautiful!
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Maybe my idea of Open Source is that is something good and it has to win against the big companies, but maybe it’s more the idea of having something which differs and gives me the feeling it’s mine. So i kind of get it now when people start a new distro, because they want to show their vision or they try something no one has done before. So the variety is the heart of Linux.
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FIFY 
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One other thing that goes in to it is what/how much software comes with the installation. Some wlll include everything including the kitchen sink and some will include the bare minimum and leave it to the user to install what they really want.
There is an Arch Linux version BTW. 
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It is horses for courses, I run multiple Linux distros at Work/Home for different reasons:
- 10+ Ubuntu servers hosted at DigitalOcean for work. We are traditionally a Microsoft/Azure house, but I managed to sell using Linux to my boss/directors on the basis they had actually heard of Ubuntu, it has LTS and commercially available support. So despite the dislike some people have for Ubuntu there is a very good reason it exists in the commercial world.
- Ubuntu running under WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) on my work laptop as I have to use Windows in our corporate environment.
- Endeavour OS as my daily driver on my main home workstation, primarily for Web based work and gaming.
- Proxmox as a VM host in my home lab.
- Debian as VMs on my Proxmox server to run server services as well as software development/testing.
- Alpine used as a Docker container host.
- Linux Mint used on an old laptop for coach surfing and some document creation/editing.
- Bazzite main lounge gaming box.
I’m going to have a bit of a rant now; but we have 50 perfectly fine desktop PCs at work that are only used for light web based work at our remote sites but apparently we are going to bin them as they don’t meet the Windows 11 spec. I suggested we just throw Linux on them but was categorically told no… thanks for the e-waste Microsoft.
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because we NEEDED a PURPLE easy to install arch based system. cuz when u mix arch linux and purple it equals badass. 
HARD FACTZ 
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cuz THEY are AWESOME & made all of our lives better.
whoever they are the creators/maintainers of EndeavourOS & whatnot
ROCKED ALL OF LIVEZ w/ some hardcore purple power
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Think of Linux like footwear, - lots of different types, from sports to hiking to casual to business, but they’re all designed to get you somewhere you need or want to be. It’s that simple. Don’t overthink it. No overarching plan, - just lots of different footwear. Choose whatever fits where you’re going… 
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I like the purple flavor! 
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